Morgan Junction bus-bulb backups: City to install ‘C-curb’

(Looking westward at the bus stop/future curb location, from the westbound Fauntleroy lane east of California)
If you use the Fauntleroy/California intersection in Morgan Junction, you know the “bus bulbs” that accompanied the RapidRide C Line debut last fall have led to some changes in the flow of other vehicle traffic. That in turn is leading SDOT to make another change at the intersection, as just announced to community leaders, who were invited to forward it to anyone they “deem(ed) appropriate,” so it found its way to us:

As a part of the city goal to improve Seattle’s walk, bike and bus transportation alternatives, the Seattle Department of Transportation, working in conjunction with King County Metro Transit, will be installing a safety curb in the street on the west leg of the intersection of Fauntleroy Way SW and California Avenue SW. The work will begin this Thursday, February 28, and is expected to take about two days to complete.

The yellow raised concrete curb will be installed between the opposing east and westbound lanes of Fauntleroy Way SW, adjacent to the westbound Metro bus stop. (See attached map for exact location.) The new permanent concrete curb will provide an additional indication to drivers that there is only one (1) westbound lane on Fauntleroy Way SW, west of California Avenue SW.

In 2012, as part of the improvements made for Rapid Ride bus service, a number of bus bulbs were installed in West Seattle for the C Line route. With a bulb, the bus simply stops in the travel lane instead of pulling in and out of traffic. This makes the bus service faster. However, at this particular location some drivers are crossing the center line to pass the bus, which has them driving in the oncoming eastbound left turn lane. In particular, drivers traveling southbound on California turning westbound onto Fauntleroy may not be able to see around buses serving the westbound bus stop, and may unexpectedly encounter oncoming eastbound vehicles. The raised curb is intended to deter such potential conflicts.

In addition to making the bus service faster, bus bulbs provide more space for passenger amenities – like shelters, benches, and real-time bus arrival signs – and the added waiting space helps keep sidewalks clear for pedestrians. However, bus bulbs can delay other traffic behind a loading bus. Motorists are reminded that buses typically spend 20 seconds or less serving each stop, and they are encouraged to build this slight additional travel time into their schedules in the interest of safety.

Here’s the map mentioned in the announcement. Meantime, we have a message out to SDOT to ask some questions, including whether this is being planned or considered anywhere else along the RapidRide route; we’re also hoping for a better visualization of what it will look like.

109 Replies to "Morgan Junction bus-bulb backups: City to install 'C-curb'"

  • Rod February 26, 2013 (12:51 pm)

    If the idiots would’ve built the bulbs up the street a bit, past the stop light, this wouldn’t even be an issue. Dimbulbs.

  • higgins February 26, 2013 (12:52 pm)

    Yay!

  • S February 26, 2013 (12:56 pm)

    This is a joke, they need to get rid of the bulbs. I saw a fire truck behind the bud and what if they needed to get by.

  • Jim P. February 26, 2013 (1:00 pm)

    “Motorists are reminded that buses typically spend 20 seconds or less serving each stop,”

    I have to laugh a bit at this as it can be a lot longer than 20 seconds what with people not bothering to get their fare out before they board, fumbling for change, those with canes or crutches and the seemingly inevitable person who wishes to talk the driver into letting them ride for free.

    I’ve seen stops take as much ads five minutes to load.

  • rocky raccoon February 26, 2013 (1:14 pm)

    Jim, it says “typically”. It does not say you will never have to wait more than 20 seconds. Have some patience. We are all routinely delayed by a myriad of things. It’s called life in the big city.

  • higgins February 26, 2013 (1:15 pm)

    I don’t mind spending an extra minute or two behind a bus, but what gets me riled up is people behind honking at me because I won’t pull around and cross the yellow line. Hopefully the curb will shift their anger from me to the curb.

  • Bryan H February 26, 2013 (1:20 pm)

    This whole concept of inconveniencing all other traffic in order to speed the bus up a little bit is idiotic. And I commute to downtown daily by bus.

  • WMF February 26, 2013 (1:27 pm)

    So, aside from backing up traffic in an already congested intersection, what exactly did extending the curb accomplish? Now they’re going to congest it further???

  • WSratsinacage February 26, 2013 (1:42 pm)

    If they are saying the curb is on the east side of Fauntleroy Way, I thought there was already a curb there? Or maybe there used to be and it got removed when Fauntleroy was repaved or went on that road diet a few years ago.

    Also, when I have suggested curbs to SDOT in the past as a resolution to other concerns, they have said curbs are not a safe addition.

    Confused

  • TW February 26, 2013 (1:52 pm)

    This sounds like a great way to treat the symptom rather than cure the underlying problem. As Rod said, these bulbs are far too close to the intersections and promote gridlock when people can’t clear the intersection. It’s especially problematic turning north onto California from eastbound Fauntleroy since you can’t see the stopped bus and the flow of traffic doesn’t allow enough spacing/reaction time to avoid stopping in the intersection at times.

  • M February 26, 2013 (1:54 pm)

    SDOT listens to Metro, not to taxpayers.

  • coffee February 26, 2013 (1:54 pm)

    I have to say that this location was put together by a complete moron who has no idea what the traffic is like in this specific intersection. When there is ferry traffic and the bus stops, and mind you regularly at this stop there are riders with disabilities so it takes a good 5 minutes to load from time to time. I used to bank at Washington Federal and its horrible you cannot exit their lot. Ask the people who work in that branch, they even said that its completely dumb. I say 20 seconds is nights and weekends……

  • quiz February 26, 2013 (1:57 pm)

    Much needed. Good call SDOT.

  • Julie February 26, 2013 (1:59 pm)

    This will really help; I’ve seen some scary near-misses from impatient drivers trying to scoot around the bus.

  • DMS February 26, 2013 (2:01 pm)

    All of RapidRide is a fiasco, but if they are going to do that, why just put a curb in at that location, it’s not the only one where people cross the yellow line. Check out Avalon and Yancy going south.

  • kas February 26, 2013 (2:03 pm)

    Got excited at first, thinking they would make improvements to traffic flow, ie: move or eliminate the bus bulbs. I realize this is a safety issue, but it will only cause more backups instead of resolving the problem.

  • alkiobserver February 26, 2013 (2:07 pm)

    Adding this curb is just more waste to support waste. The whole bulb thing is a ridiculous waste of resources for nil return. A bad decision in the first place that now will cost more money to address.

  • funkietoo February 26, 2013 (2:09 pm)

    The placement of this bulb was not well thought out. When the bus is stopped it causes intersection traffic flow backups/problems. Poor, poor planning.

    Where’s Joe McD, our transportation guru and KC Member? The location of this bulb needs to be moved. Perhaps to the south side of Fauntleroy, 1/2 block from the intersection. This would eliminate some of the intersection congestion problems (that the current bulb location causes).

  • old timer February 26, 2013 (2:15 pm)

    I’ve got to agree with Rod.
    Have they even considered re-positioning the offending bulbs?

  • gatewooder February 26, 2013 (2:15 pm)

    Bad design at the beginning = lots of additional bad design to try to fix the original error. A sad, expensive, and destructive exercise that is all too typical of SDOT.

  • Faith4 February 26, 2013 (2:18 pm)

    I do not understand how backing up traffic more helps the bus line. It almost seems like our city is trying to force the issue of people not driving but taking the bus as more and more bulbs go in, lane changes, etc. All this seems to be doing is creating more conflict and distress for the drivers. I do understand putting the curb in as I did see some near head on crashes. I just wish they would just take out the bus bulbs and bring things back to normal. It just seems like we are going from one mess to a bigger mess. What a horrible place to put bus bulbs in the first place!

  • JS February 26, 2013 (2:20 pm)

    SDOT and King County continuing to do whatever they can to screw up car traffic so that people either move or find a different route. These idiots should be fired. 20 seconds isn’t much to wait, but when you have more than 4 cars turning north onto California from Fauntleroy (Lincoln Park) that backs things up into the intersection then NOBODY moves. Just what SDOT and King County want. That plus the cost of gas – these are great times for SDOT and the King County “Rapid” ride. Next Seattle deal will be turning in your cars for a bicycle. Kinda like turning in your guns for an Amazon gift card.

  • common sense February 26, 2013 (2:27 pm)

    I wouldn’t exactly call the Fauntleroy/California intersection in Morgan Junction “the big city,” but I would call the logic behind the placement of these Rapid Ride stops mindless….

  • trickycoolj February 26, 2013 (2:28 pm)

    @S – the median curbs are very common around Northgate Mall at the Mall/I-5 intersection of N Northgate Way and 1st Ave. Fire trucks cruise through here at the peak of traffic with no problems (the station that serves the Mall area east up the hill near Aurora). The Firetrucks simply weave through the intersection switching sides of the road, it’s never a problem they’re trained how to drive the city streets.

    Then again better planning from the beginning of the Morgan RR-C stops would have been preferred, less costly, and more neighborhood friendly reducing traffic and wait time for both buses AND cars.

  • Dave February 26, 2013 (2:29 pm)

    Rod has the right take on this: putting the bulbs so close to the intersection (especially the one on California just north of Fauntleroy) backs up traffic into the intersection.
    I sure hope that someone else paid for this (though in the end we all pay, in many ways).

  • Bill February 26, 2013 (2:36 pm)

    Fauntleroy Way makes a big broad curve about a block to the south (Belveridge Place) of the current westbound bus stop. There’s plenty of room there for a relocated bus stop; why wasn’t it placed there to begin with? That wide right-of-way area would have made this conversation unnecessary and saved the city a ton of money.

  • joey February 26, 2013 (2:40 pm)

    Great.

    Spending more money to solve a problem that didn’t exist until they spent money creating one.

    And people wonder why people don’t trust the government with our money?

    Sequester this!

  • ChrisW February 26, 2013 (2:47 pm)

    The C line does NOT make 20 second stops. There ate too many of us trying to get on and off.

  • Santa February 26, 2013 (2:48 pm)

    Why is it okay to inconvenience the majority of the population for a few…

    Pretty much everything SDOT has done over the past 20 years to IMPROVE the flow of our traffic has only worsened it…and using our precious tax dollars to fund it…

  • S February 26, 2013 (2:59 pm)

    @trickycoolj – There is no way for them to switch lanes if people are in the turn lane, people in south bound traffic, and when you come around the corner you think you have a clear path but look there is a SLOW Ride bus blocking traffic. We need to fire the people that came up with this dumb idea.

  • DJ Allyn February 26, 2013 (3:24 pm)

    IF they had been smart in the first place they would have created a place for the bus to turn in to pick up and drop off passengers.

    I don’t have a problem with all of these “alternatives”, as long as they don’t adversely impact the majority of people trying to get around by driving.

    There is NO way in hell that these alternatives are going to get the majority of people out of their cars and onto a bus, bike or hovercraft. Not when the majority of us travel more than 30 miles each way to work each day and don’t want to spend it waiting for a series of buses.

  • Tod Rodman February 26, 2013 (3:25 pm)

    At a community meeting prior to Rapid Ride, SDOT was clearly advised by members of the community who use the Morgan Junction intersection on a regular basis that the bus bulb configuration was a bad idea and would be a costly mistake.
    At that meeting, SDOT replied that the bus bulbs were found to be successful in Redmond and, however, that further study and evaluation would be done for the Morgan Junction Intersection prior to proceeding with the decision to install.
    I, for one, was skeptical that the Redmond example applied to Morgan Junction and also that SDOT would actually change the configuration to take into account the particular environment at Morgan Junction.
    The Morgan Junction installed bus bulb is clearly dysfunctional and, while the raised strip will improve safety, this strip will make the current configuration even more dysfunctional.
    Unfortunately, while there are processes that provide community participation in the SDOT planning cycles, their are no processes available that provide for anything more than marginal SDOT adherence to the input provided by the community.

  • no February 26, 2013 (3:26 pm)

    Its a complete joke, I never used to wait there and now I’m always waiting on a bus. Seriously change it up the road a ways so cars can get past !!!!!!!!

  • WSratsinacage February 26, 2013 (3:31 pm)

    West Seattle keeps “improving”.

    I agree with what Bill said above. .. Basically, loctions just inside of intersections are dangerous and impede flow. The stop should have been moved further down the road instead of adding a curb.

    I’d hate to be around this area on a normal day but you just wait until the light goes on the fritz again.

  • CCB February 26, 2013 (3:32 pm)

    Can’t wait to see what their next “solution” is going to be when they realize this new fix isn’t a fix at all. Agree with others that the annoying bulbs and their locations are the core of the problem.

  • Laconique February 26, 2013 (3:36 pm)

    Not that I agree, but I believe Metro has said that the stop is placed there so that people will use the crosswalk to get to the bus stop. Basically they don’t want people to jaywalk to get to the bus.

  • a February 26, 2013 (3:36 pm)

    santa- that’s what I’ve been saying about the bike lanes since day one. Seems our local government is more interested in catering to a very small percentage of our population rather than resolving issues for the huge majority of the population that drives. So much for a democracy. I guess their intentions are to get more people to take the bus or ride their bikes rather than drive. When the bus system is a joke and bike riders are getting hit left and right it sure looks like their plan has blown up in their face. Traffic was already bad and they have just turned it into a nightmare for everyone. Thanks mayor mcbikelane.

  • john February 26, 2013 (3:36 pm)

    I consider myself to be very pro-transit, but agree with the majority of the commenters that this plan (to have the bus stop in the only lane of traffic) to be idiotic. I’m also in favor of taxing car tabs to fund transit, but was personally offended when I saw the transit line item on my vehicle registration listed as “congestion relief”. Rapid Ride is a train wreck, and it has made all other modes of transportation more dangerous (see weaving in and out of bus lanes to try to turn off of Alaska). I appreciate the work of our elected officials and would like them to hold someone at Metro accountable for this disaster.

  • K February 26, 2013 (3:46 pm)

    Seattle seems to never get transportation or education right! Now music and food…it is good at those things!

  • vox populi February 26, 2013 (3:47 pm)

    Metro and City of Seattle — are you kidding? You’re doing nothing but bogging down car traffic. I know, I know — the solution is to get out of the car and into the bus. But guess what — you don’t have enough buses to handle the demand. You can’t handle a lot of the demand you have now, and you are cutting back on routes! Meanwhile, people like me who drive four or five people in a carpool are left standing in dismal traffic. Get real!

  • Faith4 February 26, 2013 (3:53 pm)

    Perhaps we each need to send our Mayor emails in protest of these bulbs. Government is complaining about not having enough $ and yet they keep doing this stuff. Agreed with all the comments above re this.

  • steve February 26, 2013 (3:57 pm)

    Stupid is as stupid does! This the stupidest idea I have ever seen put into practice. Don’t the population have any say in what happens?

  • toodles February 26, 2013 (4:07 pm)

    Too bad you can’t do a thing about it..

  • DRW February 26, 2013 (4:12 pm)

    Bus stop bulbs and bike lanes and 2,000 new units being built in West Seattle. I know Im horrible at math but really?!

  • Joey February 26, 2013 (4:32 pm)

    The sad thing is that it will create such a backup of cars that busses will also be indirectly impacted.

    Bad idea.

  • West Seattle Hipster February 26, 2013 (4:40 pm)

    Can’t wait for our city to get new leadership.

  • Kip February 26, 2013 (4:42 pm)

    Bus Bulbs Blow-! Metro, SDOT, City Planners etc. Need to get a clue. The new C Line and bus bulb stops have ruined our West Seattle transit and streets. No room on buses. Less available stops, Ugly signs and colors. This job wasted money, time, and continues to burden the community as a whole. Hopefully the city can learn from this comedy of errors.

  • Emily February 26, 2013 (4:47 pm)

    This is terrible. Rapid ride has been nothing but problems and it has been extremely expensive. If the extra bit of pavement hadn’t been turned into a curb to begin with this wouldn’t be a problem. Traffic is already bad in this intersection.

  • Sasha K February 26, 2013 (4:49 pm)

    It seems pretty unanimous that Rapid ride is a disaster, and with Metro crying “POOR” saying they have to cut bus routes. Boo! on wasting taxpayers money. It seems Both BUS riders and Car Drivers think this is stupid, when will they listen to the Citizens??

  • WSratsinacage February 26, 2013 (4:49 pm)

    I wonder why SDOT has community meetings on projects like this if as Tod says,

    “Unfortunately, while there are processes that provide community participation in the SDOT planning cycles, their are no processes available that provide for anything more than marginal SDOT adherence to the input provided by the community.”

    Not very motivating to get involved and be apart of the solution.

    I used to love this city.

  • CanDo February 26, 2013 (4:50 pm)

    What Rod and many of the other posters said is completely true. Traffic has never been as backed up on Calif and Fauntleroy as I’ve seen it since those “bulbs” became functional. It’s suddenly common for traffic to be backed up more than a block behind each light regularly.

    If the C curb doesn’t work they’ll probably add a traffic circle and even longer red lights… maybe more signs just to add to the confusion. Kids could plan this intersection more intelligently. And by the way Mr Mayor, we’re not going to all jump on bikes. It rains here, it’s cold in the winter and sometimes it even snows. I suggest you “refresh” the planning group that’s responsible for this mess.

  • helridge February 26, 2013 (4:59 pm)

    K – Good thing Seattle gov has no control of the food and music! ;-)

  • JO February 26, 2013 (5:03 pm)

    Seriously! How many times have I seen someone turn the corner to almost hit the back of the bus or another car lined up behind the bulb? The placement is dangerous and a curb isn’t going to improve safety. I’d be surprised if there isn’t already someone who has been in an accident at this corner planning a lawsuit against Metro. Although, hopefully, the ridiculously slow traffic will probably limit the damage.

  • quiz February 26, 2013 (5:06 pm)

    We could have had a monorail in 2009.

  • dhg February 26, 2013 (5:10 pm)

    Hate the curb bulbs. Metro spent a lot of money to impede traffic flow. But they are not the only source of trouble. SDOT has proven itself clueless at traffic management. Their latest craze is to paint directions on the road. The zig zag running from Alaska to Fauntleroy is a joke.

  • ltfd February 26, 2013 (5:11 pm)

    My boss’s boss (the mayor) is an idiot.

  • 4thGenWS February 26, 2013 (5:17 pm)

    Shame on you SDOT. This is getting ridiculous!

  • Citizen Sane February 26, 2013 (5:18 pm)

    Can I still ride my horse at that intersection?

  • Magic 8-Ball February 26, 2013 (5:24 pm)

    The next solution will be to place redlight cameras to stop the cars from blocking the intersection.
    The C-Curbs will be replaced when a bicylist hits one as they try to pass a stopped bus and falls under and then is run over by the bus.

  • Ordinary_Citizen February 26, 2013 (5:44 pm)

    Go gondola! Save our streets for the people needing to drive.

  • gatewooder February 26, 2013 (5:49 pm)

    Good thing we don’t have ferry traffic going through this intersection. And that ferry traffic won’t be increasing by almost 100% in the next 25 years. SDOT would be aware of that, of course, if that was the case.

  • toodles February 26, 2013 (5:53 pm)

    Sash asked..”when will they listen to the Citizens??”

    Vote all of them out of office if you don’t like it. That will teach them.

  • Faith4 February 26, 2013 (6:02 pm)

    Thank you toodles!

  • West Seattle Hipster February 26, 2013 (6:10 pm)

    Luckily, looks like McGinn will be voted out come November.

    Magic 8-Ball, excellent post. Sad but true.

  • Fed up February 26, 2013 (6:11 pm)

    Hmm, wonder what the c stands for.. Cluster f#@& ?

  • Peter on Fauntleroy February 26, 2013 (6:23 pm)

    Much ado about nothing.

  • Dead End Marc February 26, 2013 (6:27 pm)

    Every time you see the comment
    “making the bus service faster”
    remember this is at the expense
    of all the other motorists that are
    NOT in the bus.

    Also, the arithmetic that gets them to 20 seconds per stop includes a schload of drive bys (dividing by zero).

    Deal with it, relax, you will get there.
    If you have a problem, take it out on yourself for not planning ahead, and leave earlier next time. Remember, you are all sharing the road with everyone else.

  • Jeff platt February 26, 2013 (6:42 pm)

    I argue that sdot and all thier dumb ideas are bringing down my property value
    Go work on another project somewhere else
    The everyday nightmare of a traffic jam is shameful
    I havent seen one smart action since edgar way next to the stadium or the viaduct exit to 4th
    Who is winning with this huge mess everyday anyway?
    Down with mayor mcbikelane and the cams and the painted potholes!!
    Fix real problems please

  • G February 26, 2013 (7:02 pm)

    The people (?) who designed this mess should have to drive or bike through these intersections 7×24.
    .
    Off topic:
    Why are those C buses running empty so late anyway? I see them stacked up 3 deep by Westwood Village.
    /
    The decisions made by this city are so ridiculous, I just want to move away – and I have lived in Seattle since 1962. I am completely fed up with Seattle and especially SDOT!

  • KenT February 26, 2013 (7:43 pm)

    I have a thought. Stop trying to force people onto mass transit by making automobile travel so much of a hassle and get people onto mass transit by making it easy, convenient, and comfortable. SDOT and Metro are doing a heck of a job with the first and not much about the second.

  • Kip February 26, 2013 (8:23 pm)

    Dhg- Your right. What’s up with the ridiculous Zig Zag along Alaska? It’s made up of about four separate lane changes just to get from California to 35th Ave. Someone in the SDOT needs a career change. and fast.

  • Tom February 26, 2013 (8:34 pm)

    Why not just move the frikin’ bus stop further down the street… where it should have been installing in the first place had anyone actaully thought it thru. Of course it would cost more $$. We should all call our elected City Council reps and raise hell on this idiodic scheme.

  • a February 26, 2013 (8:53 pm)

    any word on when the city will announce it’s plans to start tolling this intersection?

  • a February 26, 2013 (8:57 pm)

    I guess the only good news is that the city has screwed up our transportation system so bad that people will start to move elsewhere. That really is the only way I see the congestion getting better.

  • Norma February 26, 2013 (9:13 pm)

    It doesn’t matter to me because I can’t ride the bus any more since they eliminated my bus. Can’t get to the Rapid Ride either. I wish there was some way my taxes didn’t go to a project I can’t use. This old lady with bad eyesight will be out driving my car wherever I need to go.

  • Shane February 26, 2013 (9:23 pm)

    I live in a different part of the city that has bus bulbs. One day I noticed they were installing fences on the bus bulbs and I had to stop and ask why. The project manger that I spoke with said that they were installing the fences in order to keep the bikes from striking the people standing on the bus bulbs. I then asked why not just leave the bus riders on the curb where they were before the bus bulbs were installed. He looked at me like it had two heads and six feet.

  • CC's Dad February 26, 2013 (9:45 pm)

    I’m sure WaDOT will want to install a red light camera at that intersection for a double whammy to drivers! They would make a fortune!

  • michael ford February 26, 2013 (10:11 pm)

    I find it funny that they truely think this is going to fix the problem. it is only going to send drivers more into on coming traffic. it used to be that there were 2 lanes that have now been reduced to only one lane. I find it sad that the people making these plans don’t ever really think about how it is going to effect the others involved around the area. I can see car crashes coming as people are not going to stop going around the bus they are just going to be forced to go into on coming traffic for a much longer distance once this is put into place. Just the way I see it is all.

  • Eric1 February 26, 2013 (10:17 pm)

    Between the previous warning about blocking traffic and having to add “anti-bike” rails, I am beginning to think that Metro couldn’t figure their way out of a wet paper bag.
    .
    I recall people saying that they wanted the C-Rapid ride to mimic the 54E which would have probably actually been rapid. They didn’t listen to that either. They are probably thinking of ways to slow down the C-Rapid ride and stuff more people on during rush hour(s).

  • bandersen February 26, 2013 (10:46 pm)

    I think that it’s important to remember that the point of these bulbs, these curb features that delay traffic and greatly constrict flow, that are now apparently creating dangerous situations that require more construction is so that the bus doesn’t have to merge into traffic. Who thought that an easier merge was worth the huge downside? I don’t think that I’ve ever seen a bus that was unable to merge back into traffic. I sure do see some long backups while passengers are loading and unloading.

    SDOT should be concentrating on getting as many heads where they want to go as efficiently as possible. Once they can do that better than a team of drunken monkeys, THEN they can pursue their misguided agendas.

  • Derp February 26, 2013 (10:57 pm)

    Go ahead and put in that curb . . My SUV will go right over it like nothing . .

  • b February 26, 2013 (11:07 pm)

    This bus stop is near the intersection for the same reason the other stops are near the intersection — so bus riders can change routes conveniently. Oh you poor babies, inconvenienced by a bus while you sit in your warm, dry cars!

    You don’t like busses? Ok, what’s the alternative? Y’all seem to hate bikes, so you must expect all the people on the busses to drive. What’s already holding up traffic in front of you? Cars! You want more cars in front of you? Really?

    @ JO: “I’d be surprised if there isn’t already someone who has been in an accident at this corner planning a lawsuit against Metro.” You think someone who has broken the traffic code is going to prevail in a lawsuit? I have a hard time seeing how colliding with a stopped vehicle, particularly a bus, is anything other than the driver’s mistake.

    I ride the C line a lot. Seems to work fine. If you seriously want to get someplace on time, ride a bike. Works for me.

  • RachaelB February 27, 2013 (12:21 am)

    They put these up on 45th NE for the route 44. Watching impatient drivers try to scoot around the bus and rip their oil pan off when they smash into the curb is hilarious! I’m twisted, I know.

  • dsa February 27, 2013 (12:55 am)

    The longer lines caused by restricting flow, and the resultant increased idle times, increases air pollution is exactly contra productive to encouraging public transportation.
    .
    Why can’t they get it right? Punishing drivers to get them on the bus is the wrong approach.

  • NikkiTaMere February 27, 2013 (3:32 am)

    Nothing but a traffic snarl, which is precisely what the Dept. Of Screwing You in your Car is all about.

    Anyone who’s sat at this stop light as it changes 2 or 3 times before you can get thru it knows exactly what BS the transport lackeys put out in their PR-it

  • Rick February 27, 2013 (5:04 am)

    Ya can’t fix stupid.

  • Alkene February 27, 2013 (5:58 am)

    Be sure to let your King County Councilmember

    joe.mcdermott@kingcounty.gov

    know how you feel about this. He’s also a Regional Transit committee member, so he deserves a lot of credit for the Rapid Ride implementation.

    Just don’t expect a response.

  • SrslySharon February 27, 2013 (7:44 am)

    The fact that they keep re-working this intersection is just setting SDOT up for some hefty lawsuits after the crashes.

  • Bob February 27, 2013 (8:51 am)

    What good are comments by us who live in the area if nothing is done with them?!
    Looks like the eastbound traffic flow will now be reduced with this bulb that is suppose to prevent safety issues westbound–why can’t the bulb be moved further west?? Best solution

  • NewToTown February 27, 2013 (11:37 am)

    Just moved to WS. Enjoying it so far. Use the C exclusively – works fine by me.

    On drivers:
    I am amazed at the behavior of many of those driving vehicles. I was walking through the intersection at Admiral and CA yesterday and there was a crossing guard there to remind drivers to stop and not hit the pedestrians in the crosswalk(?!?!)… really people? Welcome to West Seattle. Seldom does a day go by that I don’t see a car(s) blast through a red light(s). Note to drivers – slow down, be patient, be considerate and above all put down your phones, and above all put down your phones (it bears repeating).

    On Government:
    Their #1 job is to spend your money – wasteful or otherwise.

  • Mongo February 27, 2013 (11:48 am)

    For those of us who live in Fauntleroy / Arbor Heights neighborhoods, using Fauntleroy Ave (and Calif Ave) through this area used to be a reasonably efficient arterial. The various “improvments” over the last few years have cured that. That leaves only 35th as the last remaining efficient arterial. However, I expect that is only temporary…

  • Jim February 27, 2013 (12:01 pm)

    The bus bulb is in a terrible location and needs to be moved. It really is that simple. I’d rightfully be ticketed if I ever tried to park my car that close to a corner, so what sense does it make to have buses stop there?

  • funkietoo February 27, 2013 (12:12 pm)

    @ DHG and Kip: ‘Dhg- You’re right. What’s up with the ridiculous Zig Zag along Alaska? It’s made up of about four separate lane changes just to get from California to 35th Ave. Someone in the SDOT needs a career change. and fast. Comment by Kip

    The Alaska ‘RapidRide’ use of 3-4 blocks of Alaska has caused even more backups because of we are now down to one lane, instead of two on this very busy main drag. It has also taken away valuable street parking (yes, I know, get out of your car and take the bus).

    However, let me give a safety example. Clients can no long park on the street in front of Lien Animal Clinic when their lot is full. When you have a sick cat or dog, the last thing you want to have to do is park blocks away (and if across the street, folks jay walk…why? because they are in the middle of a lllooooonnnnngggg block).

    @ dsa: Exactly!!! On all points. ‘The longer lines caused by restricting flow, and the resultant increased idle times, increases air pollution is exactly contra productive to encouraging public transportation.
    .
    Why can’t they get it right? Punishing drivers to get them on the bus is the wrong approach.
    Comment by dsa — 12:55 am February 27, 2013 #’

  • Coyote February 27, 2013 (12:19 pm)

    THINK OF THE CHILDREN!!!

  • Mike February 27, 2013 (12:41 pm)

    Maybe they should put a bike lane in too. That way we can create a really big headache for people to try and figure out…

    Seriously, that intersection is one of the worst in West Seattle. It takes ten minutes just to cross the street while walking even.

    Who is the genius who put the bus stop right after the light in the first place? It made the entire intersection dangerous, for all bikes, buses, cars, and pedestrians.

  • bsmomma February 27, 2013 (12:59 pm)

    These things are awful! Way more harm than good. I have almost gotten read ended more than once at Calif (North) and Fauntleroy. Bus gets a last minute stop dinger. Slams on breaks. I slam on breaks. Person behind me as well but tries to get out of the intersection and can’t. Another realy bad spot and a million times more dangerous is on Avalon at the stop in front of the storage place. When coming down/North and someone going up goes around the bus INTO HEAD ON TRAFFIC! People forget that there is no turn lane to use there anymore! Thank Goodness for the bus lane and no bus to swerve in to.

  • w.s. maverick February 27, 2013 (3:28 pm)

    with all the people that go that way they should atleast put some kind of toll for cars and bikes

  • Rapid Ride victim February 27, 2013 (3:46 pm)

    Rapid Ride should have used the Fauntleroy arterial all the way from the ferry and then over the high bridge. Instead we have gridlock at major intersections, busses spewing exhaust into residential neighborhoods and slower bus service than before. Metro listened to the Chamber/business interest instead of the riders that pay for it.

  • Tesla February 27, 2013 (5:23 pm)

    Magic 8-Ball you have reached a Jonathan Swift level of satire akin to his “A Modest Proposal”; and even has Orwellian level insiight. Brilliant, Sad and oh so true…

    “The C-Curbs will be replaced when a bicylist hits one as they try to pass a stopped bus and falls under and then is run over by the bus.”

  • ndkl February 27, 2013 (10:16 pm)

    Idiot city traffic planners. The remedy they’re planning will just create more of a mess. I already go on side streets to avoid this intersection. Get rid of the c-curb – I have never seen more than 5 people waiting at the stop. There’s absolutely no need for this huge waiting area!!!

  • ARE YOU KIDDING? February 28, 2013 (6:23 am)

    This is SOOOO wrong. The city is trying to cover their mistake of locating a bus stop too close to the corner by adding another obstacle to impede traffic. Why can’t they admit their mistake and move the bus stop west about 1/2 block to that giant empty area at the curve on Fauntleroy? Now more frustrated drivers will be taking
    neighborhood side streets to avoid this poorly planned mess. Just grow up and say “We screwed up this time. We’ll move the bus stop.” Also, DOT could have skinnied down the sidewalks some places too, instead of widening the bus platforms and obstructing traffic everywhere by taking up a whole lane. These new bus stops should have been looked at on an indidual basis.
    at on an individual basis

  • michael ford February 28, 2013 (12:11 pm)

    I see head on car crashes still looking for a place to happen with the mess that Metro and Seattle city have made of this cross street area. they are putting in a tint curb in the middle of the street shorter than the bus is long. yet what are they going to do next with California Ave SW going north as the same problem is happenning on that street too. So is it the next bs fake fix with a tiny curb in the street to stop people from driving around the buses? just asking what others feel about the mess.

  • Thomas February 28, 2013 (12:55 pm)

    I think this bus bulb and the action taken is great. I ride the bus 75% of the time and drive a car the other 25%. I don’t understand why anyone would think moving the stop down the road would make sense. Turns out, rapid development and growth in West Seattle is impacting West Seattle traffic.

  • BB February 28, 2013 (1:24 pm)

    I am yet another on the side of these bulbs being ridiculous. I would also love to better understand why the money was spent on the “next bus timer/maps” that is at the RapidRide stops. Wasn’t part of the “genious” of this plan that there was a bus every 10mins?

    Don’t get me started on all the turn only, and bus only lange changes on Alaska… Another debacle.

  • Duke February 28, 2013 (4:40 pm)

    The curb idea is a good one, since the city clowns that put the rapid ride AT A CORNER OF A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION left no room for people to clear the light, and we all know there are too many people who don’t care if they put anyone else in danger as long as they get where they’re going.

    Perhaps since they probably cannot shift the rapid ride stop down half a block, they could just put a blinking light to notify traffic when they will miss the traffic light due to a bus loading/unloading. Sort of like when a bridge will be moving ahead. This way, they can EXPECT to not be crossing California Ave anytime soon and plan accordingly (detour through a back road).

    20 seconds is a joke, BTW. I have counted it out against my watch multiple times, including on slow nights, and the buses can’t manage 20 seconds if they’ve more than 5 people loading/unloading.

    I’ve even had to sit through two entire light changes before I could cross California Ave, because of only one chair lift being needed. Nothing against the handicapped, but to re-iterate, the bus stop couldn’t be in a worse spot.

  • Kona February 28, 2013 (7:10 pm)

    The result are cars making detours through the neighborhood behind Thriftway.Waiting 3-4 lights is not a good solution, and for those folks on bikes it is a mess.
    FYI- we are not Redmond?

  • King March 1, 2013 (8:36 am)

    The new bulb is STUPIED. SEDOT and Transit do not care. They think the things they come up with are great. They think it improve things. They are Just making a BIG MESS. When you call them they never listen and never go look at and say yeah that was a bad idea. They never call you back.

  • brian March 4, 2013 (12:30 pm)

    This intersection doesn’t bother me one bit and I own a home not 500 yards away from it.

    I think you guys are Doing It Wrong.

  • Goergia Straits March 6, 2013 (1:08 pm)

    Just more PC run amuck -and costing the taxpayers!

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